Back to School

Didn’t think I’d ever say this but I'm going back to University….

Yep, Marlin International Sport Fishing Magazine has confirmed its “Classes for 2011”.

Check out these study locations;

• Costa Rica- March 3-8, 2011
• Guatemala – May 10-15, 2011
• Madeira, Portugal – July 27 – Aug 1, 2011
• Panama – Sept 24 – 29, 2011
• Cabo San Lucas, Mexico– Nov 9-14, 2011

The curriculum is a follows;
- Catch fish, eat, sleep, eat, party, catch fish, have a laugh, party, catch fish, laugh some more, explore and more in no particular order..

Blue Latitudes’ 2011 calendar will not enable it to be present at every class however we are focused on getting you into class so shoot me an email jjborg76@hotmail.com and I’ll give you the drum. Blue Latitudes will be attending and is currently recruiting teams for Panama and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, classes so if you want to be part of either teams, or both, shoot me an email.
So why Marlin University?

- Top billfishing pros as your instructors, like Peter Wright, Dave Ferrell and Walker Holcomb
- A comprehensive course on all aspects of preparing for, finding and landing the big ones
- The best fishing locations at the prime times of the year for billfish
- All-inclusive packages that cover almost every detail
- Make it an adventure the whole family can share! While you’re fishing, they can explore the sights, shopping and culture of an unparalleled tropical paradise.
- What can you get for that hard-to-shop-for family member? The best big-game fishing adventure of a lifetime! Marlin University makes a great holiday, anniversary or birthday gift.
- Reward your top executives or sales people with an unforgettable, larger-than-life adventure. Or show your best clients how much you value your relationship.
- Hands-on, personalized, side-by-side instruction in actual blue-water conditions
- The most unique educational program in the world of blue-water fishing

The best thing about Marlin U is that you are guaranteed to be fishing with the best crews on the best boats that are available in that area or even the world. The captains and mates know that you are there to learn so they are eager to tell you everything.


2011 Pricing
Marlin University offers an all-inclusive package that takes care of all your basic expenses from the moment you walk out of the airport. Ground transportation from the airport to the hotel is included. All meals while you are a student at Marlin University are provided, and your hotel accommodations are taken care of. All fishing expenses during your entire stay are included in your tuition, with the exception of boat tips.

In fact, your only concerns are your own airline transportation to the destination, any applicable duties and taxes and personal incidental expenses.

Single Person (USD)

Costa Rica: $5,900
Guatemala: $4,900
Madeira : $6,900
Panama: $6,250
Cabo San Lucas: $5,900

Non-fishing Guests (USD)

Costa Rica: $1,750
Guatemala: $1,000
Madeira : $1,750
Cabo San Lucas: $1,750

As for Panama and Cabo San Lucas here are the spiels;


Tropic Star Lodge, Panama

Tropic Star Lodge is a place so remote it is only accessible by boat or plane, a place where luxury and adventure meet. Zane Grey discovered the fishing potential of Panama and Pinas Bay in the late 1920's, but the secret was well kept for many decades.

The reef ranges from 120 to 350 feet and supports aquatic life beyond the imagination. Most of the best fishing is only 20 minutes away from the lodge. Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Pacific Sailfish, Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna roam the Pinas Bay waters. The Marlin bite from June through July is good and really turns on in August and September. These are usually bigger fish; many in the 500-600 pound range.



 Fishing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

At the tip of Mexico’s 1,000-mile-long Baja California peninsula, Cabo San Lucas is one of those destinations with the perfect combination of great billfishing and exotic and spectacular scenery. It’s a longtime favorite for anglers out to land the big one!

Cabo San Lucas is famous for its casual atmosphere, exciting nightlife, great beaches, and lots of shopping and restaurants. Cabo San Lucas is also known for its stone arch, El Arco, a magnificent natural rock formation at Land’s End.

The average year-round temperature in Cabo San Lucas is 28 degrees C, with 300 days of sun each year. In the summer, the dry desert heat prevails, but trade winds keep the evening temperatures comfortable.

After the day’s fishing and the nightly seminar, Cabo has a lively late-night scene. With the incredible array of activities available onshore, this session is probably the best option for those who want to bring along a non-fishing guest. Non-fishing guests can enjoy sailing, whale watching, shopping, hiking or just lazing at the beach. 

Sharpen those pencils and massage this one into your 2011 budget.

There, now that’s the way University was meant to be!

Game on

Chat soon

Jason

jjborg76@hotmail.com

Approaching Infinity

The dawn was hazy. The white tinged horizon signalled palm oil plantation harvesting season had commenced across South East Asia. This meant migratory sails, the strong, robust breeders would be present.

Before too long we were sandwiched between rampaging Spanish Mackerel and aggressive Sail Fish. We caught and released both in numbers all day long.

Some Sail fish were caught sight casting to “Finning” fish, this is when the fish are observed cruising along the surface of the water with dorsal fin and tail protruding the surface. You don’t get much better than that in sport fishing terms. The 10 wt fly rod got a work out and we did break out the light spinning gear on some of the Mackerel.

It was one of those “infinity” type days. You can tell you are having them when a comfortable silence remains over the group as nobody wants to say anything that might jinx the run of remarkable good luck. After a while though, you realize you are experiencing a day that ceases to disappoint and absorb yourself in the action.

We had squid attaching themselves to hooked baitfish (which were kept live as bait for some sail fish action), pelagics all around the boat, triple hookups and even managed to capture some of those “photos of a lifetime”.

Think about the timing that goes into a 50kg yellow fin tuna launching itself to intercept an airborne flying fish travelling at speed?! Now that’s one unlucky flying fish.

It was with pleasure we cleaned up and headed back. It was an action packed day. It was from the pier that we made our way back to Singapore. Engineers, backpackers, golfers and greying academics baffling to one another over logic, our love for fishing and the outdoors and questions on everything from zero to infinity.

Heaven on Earth

Ever arrived at that holiday destination only to be disappointed because that picture perfect postcard in the brochure was the only picture possible?  Well I will vouch that this place makes you feel like you are actually walking through the postcard, all the time.  I'm talking about the Cook Islands.  With anything though the further you are away from well worn tracks the more special the places become, so that statement doesn't hold true for the more developed islands in the Cooks.  I guess learning to fly fish might give you a plausible excuse to wade around waist deep in this gin clear tropical water...

Bonefish enthusiasts should consider investigating the Cook Islands in more depth.  It has had a few false starts, they still have issues with the locals netting expansive flats but potential still exists on Aitutaki and Penhryn in particular.  We are talking fewer but massive Boneage. Some of the resorts are amazing.  A few signed photos of Bruce Willis and Co. with thank-you's to the staff for a wonderful stay at Pearl Pacific probably vindicates this.  Tis a romantic place too. As always, the locals are delightful.

I also explored the southern most island in the Cook group, Mangia, with an Australian based fishing agent and co fishing photo journalist to explore it but it's a rugged coast with little flats potential.  GT potential exists however. 

Here's an article, specifically about the Bonefishing on Aitutaki, that saw Gordon Howlett, Greg Finney, Daniel Sefton and I tangle with some of the Cook's best.

As always, shout out for more information about the Cook Islands.  If I can't help, I will find out or I will happily direct you to existing agencies that have been sending clients to the Cooks for years. 

Let's do it!
Jason Borg
jjborg76@hotmail.com

It's raining Sail's....

Kuala Rompin has been providing double digit days on the sails for the last week running.  Local Singaporean and expat customers have not been disappointed with what is proving to be one of the most consistent seasons thus far. 

Fish are averaging 50kg with some bruts up to 80kg.  Some notable catch and release specimens on 9wt fly gear have been recorded and the weather, well it has been hard to distinguish where water meets sky on most days......

Regrettably the rest of the season is booked out but drop me a line to lock your fishing party in for next season.

Cheers
Jason

Let's get Exotic in the Tropics.......

Yes. Sail fishing in Malaysia is as good and better than the Costa Rica's of the world.  That said, I rate fishing destinations holistically, that is how good is the fishing in the context of the broader destination? Well let's see. Malaysian climate? Marvellous; Relative proximity (when compared to Costa Rica for Asia Pac travellers)? Much closer; Food? Abundant, diverse and outrageously good; The people? Yep, there's a bad durian here and there but on the most part friendly and hospitable; Exchange rate and bang for your buck? Extremely favourable; Numbers of Sails? Double digit catch and release days are frequent. That leaves Malaysia at the top of the heap in my mind.  Vessel and basic infrastructure does not compare to our well established Latin American comrades however....but the boats do float!

While fishing would usually be the focal point of a trip of this nature, you still want plenty of things to do and see if the fish God's are not smiling!  A short trip from the concrete jungles of Kuala Lumpur or Singapore will have you tackling one of my favourite and flamboyant fighting saltwater species. 

Trips are booked out from now until the end of the season so I plan to keep you abreast of progress in coming months with some uploaded footage.

There has been quite a bit of interest from you regarding Sailfishing of late.  I've dug up an old article where I set voyage to some uncharted waters and uncovered a few little gems off Malaysia's West Coast.  Hope you can take something from it.

Adios till next time
Jason Borg

Best of Both Worlds - Victoria's Great Ocean Road

Spicing it up in Kuala Lumpur

For the Subang Jaya boys....

Fiji

Halcyon Days

We most certainly annoyed the honeymooners who were en route to Honolulu. "Why are we stopping here?"  I heard one newly wed moan. Our Air Pacific flight pulled into Kiritimati International airport and the 5 of us jumped out of our seats realising we were only 2 short hours away from whetting our lines and appetites....there's something about pulling into CXI.  Whether it's the unofficial greeting from customs or the official lack of officials, for me the place hits you when that beaming smile from a CXI youngster is followed up by a high five - and a "Hello Mister".

Oh, the reason we were here was to fly fish.  Fly fishing for bonefish specifically. "Ghosts of the flats" aptly named due to their remarkable ability to disguise themselves when roaming the sand flats.  You'll see them one minute only to have a sudden change of direction reflect sunlight off their steely clad exteriors and like magic - gone.  Often to leave calculating grown men and women wondering what had just happened.  

So now you know they can be challenging to spot, now throw in the fact that enticing them to take your fly imitation (often an imitation of a prawn or crab) can be equally frustrating. 

With their quite literal "head down and arse up" approach to feeding, the accuracy of your cast must distract them without arousing suspicion.  Oh, and then your meticulously tied prawn imitation must look like one to them.....and the line your prawn imitation is tied to must be fine enough to make it look real in the water, but not so fine because the sand flats are littered with sharp coral outcrops that will break your line as if it were cotton thread....hmmmm

Ok, so far no real difference between fly fishing for bonefish and the more commonly targeted quarry on fly gear, trout.  Well those similarities just discussed is where it ends people because when a bonefish decides to grab your fly your life momentarily turns into a violent blur. 

It's like being hooked up to a passing freight train.  God knows how they conduct these surveys but bonefish allegedly can attain and sustain searing runs over 200 meters at a time at 30 miles per hour compared to a trout at 5. 

Holding one up close reveals the secrets.  They are all muscle and possess the sleek lines of a Ferrari, quite attractive really.  It's that forked tail that allows them to get enough purchase in the shallow water and their mirrored scales gives them the camouflage required to keep them safe from their main predators, barracuda, reef sharks and humans with fly rods....

The scope of fishing opportunities at CXI are limited by your imagination only.  20 species in total were caught and released on fly gear other than bonefish including Titan Trigger Fish, Giant Trevally and Milkfish.  While most advice will point towards using 7 through 9 weight fly gear for places like CXI, 2-3 weight gear was used to great success and amazement on Bones up to 8 pounds.  I've always lived by John Gierach's wise words that "..if people don't occasionally walk away from you shaking their heads, you're doing something wrong."

The trip was ranked somewhere between "5 star and heaven" as voted by a happy group of customers. It was a diverse group whose varied backgrounds and stories rounded off another fulfilling experience...and plans are already underway for trips later this year and in 2011.  Most of the world is covered by water. My job is simple: Pick out the best parts.... Look forward to seeing you out there.

Jason Borg

jjborg76@hotmail.com